Fishing Tournie, Community Cookout Part of Ben Franklin’s K-9 Fundraiser

The Little Plover River flows through Lower Whiting Park. (City Times photo)

April 20, 2016

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By Brandi Makuski

Art Greco’s ninth grade World of Business class has seen a few bumps in the road over the past few weeks, but they’ve finally made some headway in its final class project.

The project — a fundraiser for the Portage Co. K-9 unit — has been picking up steam inside the school by way of a bake sale. The 15 eighth- and ninth-graders in Greco’s class have been selling home-baked goods during lunch and after school to build up their fund to $262, and now have organized a community event for the public.

Mackenzie Lavin writes out a do-to list on the classroom’s white board Wednesday. (City Times photo)

After securing donations of food, soda and grilling supplies from local businesses, the students have set their sights on holding a community cookout April 30 at Lower Whiting Park.

The class was stagnant for two weeks; students struggled with tracking bake sale data, counting tills and organizing their ideas. The biggest struggle for students was calling local businesses, with many admitting they were intimidated and unsure of what to say.

But faced with a looming deadline, the group pooled their resources during class on Wednesday and began making phone calls. They called the Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office to ensure at least one K-9 unit would be present on April 30. They called the Village of Whiting to ensure use of the park. They convinced Walmart in Plover to donate hamburgers and hot dogs, and began organizing a fishing tournament and other activities for the big day.

Greco said the students have a goal of $1,500.

The public is invited to the fundraising event, held at Lower Whiting Park on April 30 from 10 AM to 2 PM, rain or shine.